[Lumen]

I was just wondering how other GMs deal with players making nuyen between runs.  With the Day Job quality I can understand (and it has a convenient chart) but I find that almost all of my players are trying to make an extra buck to pay the bills.  I was thinking of rolling appropriate skill checks and maybe Hits*200 or 300, any thoughts?

[All4BigGuns]

If they're doing that then your runs are not paying anywhere near enough. Multiply the pay of their runs by 5 or 6 at a minimum. Do this and they won't have to look for alternate means to make money (which they shouldn't be needing to).

[RHat]

It's one thing if they just want some extra money, but if they're doing it to pay the bills, you're clearly not paying them enough.

Runners wouldn't work for less than they could make boosting cars.

[Black]

I would increase the money from the runs, but only a little bit, becareful of going to far the otherway.  You might also up the challenge a bit at the same time, kind of a 'entering a new league' type thing.

Question, how are they earning money.  Day jobs ok, but if the act of earning money is actually part of the character's personality then work with it.  eg card shark, gang member, part-time fixer, etc

[GiraffeShaman]

You can also kind of trick them. If they go around looking for work on the side, have contacts start presenting them various moneymaking opportunities that are actually shadowruns. They'll get what they want, more money, and you'll have more excuses to send them on shadowruns.

[RHat]

You can also kind of trick them. If they go around looking for work on the side, have contacts start presenting them various moneymaking opportunities that are actually shadowruns. They'll get what they want, more money, and you'll have more excuses to send them on shadowruns.

Which won't solve the problem of what's making them do this.  The OP did use the term "to pay the bills", after all, and if they're stretching just to pay for their lifestyles then the nuyen based characters can't advance.  It's something of a problem.

[emsquared]

Gotta echo everyone else here, unless that's a part of your whole campaign schtick - like, they have "secret lives" and keeping the two separate is part of the challenge - or some such, then something's wrong. Maybe they're just bad with money but, if you're not paying them enough to cover a comfortable lifestyle (low to medium), med-bills and ammo plus maybe a new Fake SIN or license now and then (i.e. cost of operations) plus a little on top for new toys every run, you need to pay them more.

Lot's of Runners have very marketable legit skills (Face, Hacker, Magician - even Sammies), why would they assume the risk to life, limb and jail time that Running brings if they don't reap a disproportionate reward? The answer is what you are finding - they wouldn't. And clocking in and out isn't terribly fun to RP.

[Mirikon]

How much are you paying them for a typical run, and what level lifestyles are these characters at? Stretching to pay the bills while living the High or Luxury lifestyle is one thing. Stretching to afford a Low lifestyle is something completely different. If they aren't all on a high or luxury lifestyle, I'd up the pay for their gigs somewhat.

As for pulling side jobs, that depends on what the job is. Can you give us examples of the side jobs they're trying to do?

[Lumen]

Ok I misspoke.  The first run each character made about 7500 nuyen and only two have high lifestyle,  just for some perspective.   I really don't think they were under paid and the run ended up being easier on them than expected.

I'd like to work with them like Black suggests but I also know my players and know they will try and get their hands on every last nuyen they can.  Several of them have legitimate ways of making nuyen on the side I just want to make sure they don't get into the millions too quick.

[All4BigGuns]

With Lifestyle and "operating expenses" combined, 7500 goes very rapidly. At least multiply that by 4 per run and then you'll be at what should be the bare minimum to pay--in order to ensure appropriate advancement for mundane characters.

[Lumen]

How much are you paying them for a typical run, and what level lifestyles are these characters at? Stretching to pay the bills while living the High or Luxury lifestyle is one thing. Stretching to afford a Low lifestyle is something completely different. If they aren't all on a high or luxury lifestyle, I'd up the pay for their gigs somewhat.

As for pulling side jobs, that depends on what the job is. Can you give us examples of the side jobs they're trying to do?

To give an example the rigger who has automotive mechanic and an appropriate tool shop making money fixing cars.

[Wakshaani]

The majority of drug dealers would make more money getting minimum wage jobs than selling drugs, soldiers get paid less than the manager of McDonalds, and 99% of all football players will never play a single down in the NFL, so play for free despite the cost of transport and medical.

Crime is not, by and large, a lucrative field.

The average successful Shadowrunner will pull in about 6000 a month. Those who engage in globe-trotting style campaigns where they're the best in the world will make closer to 40,000 a run, but only get three, maybe four runs a year. Rookie 'runners are lucky to pull 2400 a month, with a weekly run netting each about 600 Nuyen.

This is why you always want to have a good reason for your character to run the shadows ... most could live a normal life and make the same, or more, than doing what it is that they do ... deckers and magicians being the big ones who stand out. One of the thing sthat you should always ask players is "Why is your character doing this?" If it's "To get rich,", well, they're in for a rough time.

[Mirikon]

With Lifestyle and "operating expenses" combined, 7500 goes very rapidly. At least multiply that by 4 per run and then you'll be at what should be the bare minimum to pay--in order to ensure appropriate advancement for mundane characters.

Disagree with that, Guns. Between 7500 and 10000 is a good measure, if you go by Missions standards. And teach them the value of looking for extra revenue streams. Awesome gunfight with an insect shaman trying to summon a queen? Edit your team's faces/voices out of the mix, and sell the footage to someone who'd love to have the content. Make another thousand or two that way. Day Job is a decent choice, especially when you need some extra nuyen. Hauling the bodies of your enemies (even if they're still breathing) to the organleggers can net you some nuyen, if you have a strong stomach. Selling the 'used' cyberware those guys aren't using anymore (being dead) also gets you some cred. If you have the looks and loose morals, you can always set up a side business as an escort. The list of possibilities goes on.

[All4BigGuns]

And teach them the value of looking for extra revenue streams.

If for any reason it is ever necessary to do this, then pay per run is far too low.

[Lumen]

With Lifestyle and "operating expenses" combined, 7500 goes very rapidly. At least multiply that by 4 per run and then you'll be at what should be the bare minimum to pay--in order to ensure appropriate advancement for mundane characters.

Disagree with that, Guns. Between 7500 and 10000 is a good measure, if you go by Missions standards. And teach them the value of looking for extra revenue streams. Awesome gunfight with an insect shaman trying to summon a queen? Edit your team's faces/voices out of the mix, and sell the footage to someone who'd love to have the content. Make another thousand or two that way. Day Job is a decent choice, especially when you need some extra nuyen. Hauling the bodies of your enemies (even if they're still breathing) to the organleggers can net you some nuyen, if you have a strong stomach. Selling the 'used' cyberware those guys aren't using anymore (being dead) also gets you some cred. If you have the looks and loose morals, you can always set up a side business as an escort. The list of possibilities goes on.

I really like this. I would prefer my players use some imagination to earn extra nuyen than pay then exorbitant amounts for runs.